William R. Poage
Encyclopedia
William Robert Poage was a Texas
politician
.
Poage was born in Waco, Texas
and served in the United States Navy
during World War I
. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1925 to 1929, and in the Texas Senate from 1931 to 1937.
In 1936, Poage was elected to the House of Representatives
as a Democrat. Poage came down with Ménière's disease
, which eventually left him deaf in one ear. In the House, he supported acts designed to help the rural residents of his district. Poage was the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture from 1967 to 1975, until he was removed from his position in a revolt by House Democratic Caucus against the Seniority
system. The Caucus considered Poage to be too conservative and he was replaced by Tom Foley
.
Poage did not run for re-election in 1978 and retired to his home in Waco, Texas
. The following year the W. R. Poage Legislative Library for Graduate Studies and Research was dedicated on the Baylor University
Campus to house Poage's congressional papers and the papers of eight other former U. S. Congressmen.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Poage was born in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
and served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1925 to 1929, and in the Texas Senate from 1931 to 1937.
In 1936, Poage was elected to the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
as a Democrat. Poage came down with Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
, which eventually left him deaf in one ear. In the House, he supported acts designed to help the rural residents of his district. Poage was the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture from 1967 to 1975, until he was removed from his position in a revolt by House Democratic Caucus against the Seniority
Seniority
Seniority is the concept of a person or group of people being in charge or in command of another person or group. This control is often granted to the senior person due to experience or length of service in a given position, but it is not uncommon for a senior person to have less experience or...
system. The Caucus considered Poage to be too conservative and he was replaced by Tom Foley
Tom Foley
Thomas Stephen Foley was the 57th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1989 to 1995. He represented Washington's 5th congressional district for 30 years as a Democratic member from 1965 to 1995....
.
Poage did not run for re-election in 1978 and retired to his home in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
. The following year the W. R. Poage Legislative Library for Graduate Studies and Research was dedicated on the Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
Campus to house Poage's congressional papers and the papers of eight other former U. S. Congressmen.
External links
- Baylor Collection of Political Materials (BCPM) web site WR Poage at Oakwood Cemetery (Waco, Texas)